Tree Canopy Policy and Programs

Tree Canopy Action Plan 2.0

The Tree Canopy Action Plan 2.0 (TCAP 2.0) will establish Charlotte’s long-term strategy to preserve, restore, and expand the city’s urban tree canopy as growth continues. Led by the City of Charlotte’s Department of Planning, Design & Development, the initiative will align with the Charlotte Future 2040 Comprehensive Plan to support a healthier, more resilient, and more connected city.

TCAP 2.0 will evaluate Charlotte’s natural systems including tree canopy, waterways, watersheds, floodplains, parks, and open spaces through data analysis and community engagement. The plan will identify opportunities to balance future growth with conservation, canopy enhancement, climate resilience, and neighborhood livability.

The study will also produce policy and ordinance recommendations to guide future updates to the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO), helping shape a more sustainable and equitable future for Charlotte’s neighborhoods.

Through collaboration with community organizations, industry stakeholders, and residents, TCAP 2.0 will create a shared vision for a vibrant urban environment where tree canopy, sustainability, and growth will work together to shape Charlotte’s future.

Charlotte's Tree Canopy Preservation Program (TCPP) seeks to acquire and conserve land within Charlotte with the goal of preserving and protecting one of the Queen City's most important natural resources: its nationally recognized tree canopy. 

The City of Charlotte Tree Ordinance allows for payment-in-lieu for protecting trees on site in certain development situations. The money collected from the ordinance goes into a fund that is mandated for acquisition, protection, management, and long-term conservation of land within the City of Charlotte and its ETJ. The purpose of the conservation is to ensure our tree canopy is maintained for future generations. 

The acquisitions under this program are voluntary, and staff work with property owners to acquire land identified in cooperation with local organizations like the Catawba Lands Conservancy and other municipal agencies like Mecklenburg County Park & Recreation. Once acquired, properties are typically made subject to conservation easements or declarations of conservation to ensure that the tree canopy remains protected.  

TCPP initially developed with a focus solely targeting large areas of land for tree canopy conservation. The program has evolved and is seeking smaller urban sites while still working to purchase large properties for conservation. Urban sites may become part of the Urban Arboretum Trial (UAT) and may include a public use focus to highlight the benefits of trees while also allowing for flexibility for other important community elements including but not limited to art, history, and character. 

Property owners interested in participating in the Tree Canopy Preservation Program can fill out a TCPP Inquiry Form.

Canopy Care Tree Assistance

This is a residential assistance program providing arboriculture services for Charlotte and the ETJ. Tree care includes tree assessment, tree health care treatments, tree planting, tree pruning and removing hazardous trees to enhance the overall canopy health on private property.

Additional Information:

• The primary goal of the program is to preserve our city’s tree canopy.

• Application window runs from Spring through Fall.

• It is the program’s standard that seemingly healthy trees at time of inspection will not be removed. Trees that do not show signs of deficiencies, diseases, or dying have the option of structural pruning or hazard reduction.

• Invasive tree species may be removed

• Heritage Trees (30” or greater DBH) will not qualify for a removal unless there is an arborist’s report concluding that the item should be exempt from Heritage Tree protection measures.

Benefits of a healthy tree canopy include:

• Reduced energy costs
• Increased home values
• Removal of air pollutants
• Erosion reduction
• Stormwater mitigation
• Wildlife habitat
• Many health benefits

 Canopy Care Certification (Under Development)

The City of Charlotte will implement a credentialing program to certify tree care companies and landscape contractors as Canopy Care Certified. This certification will provide training for contractors relative to all tree preservation requirements impacting trees in the Charlotte community. The goal of this program is to raise awareness and understanding on the benefits of trees in Charlotte, and the regulations in place to protect Charlotte’s tree canopy. A list of all Canopy Care Certified contractors will be available on this website for residents and property owners.

The Crown Tree Awards celebrate Charlotte's amazing urban forest and the residents who preserve, grow and advocate for it. The awards are managed by the Charlotte Tree Advisory Commission, on behalf of the Mayor and City Council.